Thousands of Trees Planted to Protect Louisiana Coast from Worsening Storms

Environmental groups work to restore natural wetlands barrier around New Orleans

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In Meraux, Louisiana, environmental groups have been working for the past 4 years to plant 30,000 native trees like bald cypress and water tupelo to help restore the natural wetlands barrier around New Orleans. This effort aims to hold the land in place as it sinks further below sea level and provide protection from increasingly severe storms. The project is part of a larger movement to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and build a more resilient ecosystem.

Why it matters

The natural wetlands and forests around New Orleans were severely degraded after Hurricane Katrina, leaving the city more exposed to future storms. This tree-planting effort is part of a broader initiative to rebuild that natural protective barrier and make the region more resilient to the impacts of climate change and worsening hurricanes.

The details

Over the past 4 years, dozens of volunteers have been ferried by airboat to plant hundreds of saplings at sites around Lake Borgne near New Orleans. The goal is to eventually have 30,000 fully grown trees that can hold the land in place, create wildlife habitat, and shield the city from storms. This work is being led by a collective of local environmental groups, including Common Ground Relief, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and the Meraux Foundation. The project has become more feasible in recent years due to the closing of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal, which had allowed saltwater intrusion and damaged the previous wetlands ecosystem.

  • The tree-planting effort began around 2009 with smaller-scale initiatives.
  • About 5 years ago, several organizations came together to apply for larger grants and coordinate a more expansive reforestation project.
  • The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has planted about 10,000 of its 15,000-tree quota, and expects to finish by next year.

The players

Common Ground Relief

A local environmental organization working on the tree-planting project.

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

One of the largest groups involved, having planted about 10,000 of the 30,000-tree goal.

Meraux Foundation

A partner organization in the tree-planting collective.

Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development

Another partner organization involved in the tree-planting efforts.

Blaise Pezold

Coastal and environmental program director for the Meraux Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“We're one part of a larger movement to resist this sort of 'doomerism' mindset, and to show that recovery is possible.”

— Christina Lehew, Executive director of Common Ground Relief (wbal.com)

“In our wildest dreams we never thought we'd be able to plant some of the areas that we are now planting.”

— Blaise Pezold, Coastal and environmental program director, Meraux Foundation (wbal.com)

“It still affects everybody that went through it, and … it changed us all. I mean, we had our lives ripped out from underneath us in a day.”

— Ashe Burke, Wetlands restoration specialist, Common Ground Relief (wbal.com)

“That brings a little bit of joy to my heart that they're actually inspired by what we're doing. So maybe they could come back or maybe they have some reason to live in New Orleans.”

— Rollin Black, Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana expects to complete planting its 15,000-tree quota by next year, bringing the overall project closer to its 30,000-tree goal.

The takeaway

This large-scale tree-planting effort is a tangible example of how communities can work to rebuild and strengthen their natural defenses against the growing threats posed by climate change and extreme weather. By restoring the vital wetlands ecosystem around New Orleans, these groups are helping to create a more resilient future for the region.